Vincent Van Gogh only sold 1 painting his whole life and that was to his brother! Mark Twain, one of America’s best-loved authors, dropped out of school when he was 12 years old, after his father died. On April 2, 1872, Victoria Woodhull became the first woman candidate for the U.S. presidency. There were about […]
Scary word alert… Scary word alert… Scary word alert… It’s no big thing…just another 50 cent “big churchy word” that people do not understand, stumble over and tend to turn off to – when heard. Apocalypticism Apocrypha Apocalyptic Yeah, it’s one of those strange Greek words that sneaks into someone’s vocabulary…that they use to “impress.” […]
“Exploitation” is taking an “unfair advantage” of a given situation. “Exploitation” is basically “a selfish act.” It is all about me…my wants, my desires, my needs. It is about one’s own advantage…over someone else. It is unfair. It is not right. It is often times about a “misuse or abuse” of power. It also has […]
Let’s talk about the Holy City of Jerusalem. Jerusalem was known as being a “company town.” That is, “in the sense” of being an “old fashioned company town” that ruled everything in a person’s life. That’s what Jerusalem did and was like… That is what it eventually became. The Temple proper had hundreds, if not […]
I have studied a lot of words and played around with a whole bunch of words in my life time… It is funny what you choose to address and what you choose “not to address.” This last week and throughout the past weekend I have been thinking about “all” saints. I wanted to know “what” […]
Three years… Where did the time go? Unreal isn’t it? You guys were so young…7th graders…and all!!!! And look at you NOW…young men and women!!!! Thank you parents, seriously, for all the chasing back and forth. Thank you for your time commitment. It is greatly appreciated. You guys, rock! Seriously! Thank you!!!! Let’s see…there was… […]
“All Saints” brings to the fore – different feelings and different emotions for differing people… I love “All Saints Day/Sunday” – it is so much more than our namesake. There is both anguish and comfort to be found in this weekend. Both, stand, side-by-side. I have always taken comfort in the fact that we are […]
A little bit of Lutheran history…to go with the day… In 1517, a monk and university professor and head theological chair, named Martin Luther – wished to have “a scholarly debate” concerning the topic of “indulgences.” It was no big thing. “Indulgences” in the teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, was “a way to reduce […]
This is probably a very good weekend to talk about sin. Not about me personally mind you, but about our world! What is going on? Things keep on happening…big things, newsworthy things… If, I heard correctly another pipe bomb was found just today/yesterday…how many does that make? And they are still expecting to find even […]
On the way to Jerusalem … that’s the way Mark begins this passage. If for no other reason, than to remind us “where” Jesus is headed… He is determined. His face is set like flint. He is man who is driven. A showdown lies ahead and Jesus does not back down. He heads directly for […]